Market Status And Future Development Trends Of Silicon Metal Industry

What is Silicon Metal?

Silicon metal, denoted by the symbol Si, is a grey metallically lustrous metal element. Because of its special qualities, it is widely used in many different sectors. In China, metallic silicon is typically categorized into several classes, such as 553, 441, 421, 3303, 2202, 1101, and so on, according to the amounts of calcium, iron, and aluminum in each.

Features: Silicon is a metalloid, meaning that its characteristics lie in between those of metals and non-metals. Unlike ordinary metals, which conduct electricity less effectively at higher temperatures, this substance is a semiconductor, meaning that it conducts electricity better as temperature rises.

Production: Silicon metal is manufactured in enormous quantities all over the world, with China, Brazil, Norway, France, Russia, Canada, the United States of America, and Germany being the main producers. It is an essential and crucial raw material utilized in many different industries, such as batteries, electronics, and the renewable energy sector.

Applications: The manufacturing of silicon compounds, silicon wafers for solar applications, and electronic gadgets has increased demand for silicon metal, which is utilized in the chemical and aluminum industries. In addition, it finds application in powder metallurgy, solar energy, metallurgical processing, and the manufacturing of refractory materials.

Silicon metal is a common alloying agent, particularly in the making of alloys made of aluminum. It improves the alloys’ performance and mechanical qualities, making them appropriate for a variety of uses.

Chemical Compounds: Silicon metal is used to make silicones, resins, lubricants, and other industrial products. It is also used as a raw material for these processes.

Renewable Energy: Silicon metal is in high demand in the field of renewable energy and is essential to the manufacturing of solar cells and panels, which advances the development of sustainable energy sources.

Silicon Metal Production Status In 2021

Statistics show that between January and July 2021, shipments of silicon metal totaled 466,000 tonnes, representing a 41% year-over-year rise. indigenous manufacturing of metallic silicon. Owing to the recent decline in metallic silicon prices, in addition to other factors including environmental preservation, many expensive businesses are either operating at a loss or have closed down entirely.

Because there will be enough supply, metal silicon will operate at a high rate in 2021. Both the operating rate of metal silicon and the power supply are significantly lower than in prior years. This year, there is a shortage of demand-side silicon and polysilicon due to high operating rates, high pricing, and heightened demand for metallic silicon. There is a severe scarcity of metallic silicon as a result of these combined reasons.

Future Trends Of Metallic Silicon

Future trends for metallic silicon point to rapid technological development across a range of industries.

Market Growth: It is anticipated that the worldwide silicon metal market will expand significantly. Valued at $6.3 billion in 2019, it is projected to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5% from 2020 to 2027, to reach $8.9 billion.

Growing Demand: With a CAGR of 5.8% during the projected period, the silicon metal market is expected to reach USD 20.60 billion by 2030. The silicon metal market in Asia-Pacific is anticipated to have the most global dominance.

Technological Advancements: The field of silicon technology is still advancing as seen by innovations like Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) lithography and the investigation of silicon quantum dots for possible application in quantum computers.

Solar Industry: Approximately 95% of the modules supplied today are made of silicon, the most common semiconductor material used in solar cells. The market for silicon metal is anticipated to be driven by the rising use of laptops, tablets, smartphones, and other electronic devices.

Industry companies: The future of the silicon metal market is being actively shaped by key companies in the industry. It is anticipated that initiatives to enhance existing technology and lower production costs would open up new business prospects.

Price Trends: A number of factors, including production capacity, power rationing, and market dynamics, may affect silicon metal pricing in the future. Price volatility and the necessity for a forward-looking perspective to support future-proof business strategy are characteristics of the market.